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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This lovely little song is sung by Dr Daly, the not-too-young vicar of the parish of Ploverleigh. He is a very human character who is singing about what might have been (Ah me!) and his doubts about pursuing these big issues later in life; and playing a flageolet¹ Don't worry, all is sorted out as the show progresses.

An old song book in my possession entitles this song from The Sorcerer, Eheu Fugaces-! (Gilbert and Sullivan seldom gave titles to the songs in the shows). However, my dictionary defines this as : Eheu Fugaces . . .labunturanni! from the Latin, meaning: alas the fleeting years slip away! It is a quote from the great Roman poet philosopher, Horace - Odes, II, xiv, 1-2. (Classical scholars - comments and explanations welcome.) But more of this in a later MusicSmiles story . . .

The song has a fascinating nine bar orchestral introduction. Wait for it . . .! Then start (follow the horns) with a lovely recitative style opening, then two bars before the typically equally lovely G&S verse. Can you hear the flageolet . . .?

The Curate's Song
(Intro . . .)

The air is charged with amatory numbers -
Soft madrigals, and dreamy lovers' lays.
Peace, peace old heart!
Why waken from its slumbers
The aching mem'ry of the old, old days?

Time was, when Love and I were well acquainted.
Time was, when we walk'd ever hand in hand,
A saintly youth, with worldly thought untainted - 
Non better-lov'd than I in all the land!

Time was, when maidens of the noblest station,
Forsaking even military men,
Would gaze upon me, rapt in adoration -
Ah me, ah me,
I was a fair young curate then!

Had I a headache? sigh'd the maids assembled:
Had I a cold? well'd forth the silent tear;
Did I look pale? then half a parish trembled:
And when I cough'd all thought the end was near!

I had no care! no jealous doubts hung o'er me,
For I was loved beyond all other men.
Fled gilded dukes and belted earls before me, -
Ah me, ah me, I was a pale young curate then!
A pale young curate,
A pale young curate,
Ah me, I was a pale young curate then!

But what does The Sorcerer's Song have to say . . .?

OR

Return to The Sorcerer opening page . . .?

Footnote 1.    A Flageolet is a late 16th Century woodwind instrument, similar to the recorder but it had two of its six finger holes on the underside and controlled by the thumbs. It was invented by Le Sieur Juvigny.  Handel wrote for its use in his opera Rinaldo. Return to story.

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